The final phase of renovations to Leonard Dining Hall is complete, and all three dining halls across campus are now open to all university students, staff, and faculty, offering All-You-Care-To-Eat dining service. Door entry access has returned for single meals and optional Campus Meal Plan sales have resumed.

Phase one of the Leonard Dining Hall renovation commenced in September 2022, and Phase two was completed this month, with the exception of a few final finishes.

The following project improvements enhance the overall dining experience for students, staff, and faculty on campus: 

• A new receiving dock and expanding food storage 
• Enclosed garbage facilities and sustainable waste collection systems 
• Addition of an accessible entrance
• Plumbing, electrical, and mechanical improvements 
• Optimization of production spaces (front and back of house)
• Relocation of the dish room and service points throughout the servery to enhance traffic flow
• Development of service areas that feature healthy options and highlight the range of choices available for students with special or restricted diets, including a revitalized True Balance Station and Gluten-Free Friendly Pantry
• Interactive food stations for teaching and cooking demonstrations
• Increased made-to-order and prepared-for-you menu options
• Replacement and/or upgrades to most of the production and service equipment

For the 2023/24 Fall Term, Leonard Dining Hall remained open for residence students on the mandatory Residence Meal Plan but was closed to Queen's staff and faculty. Service was modified to temporarily offer fixed meal stations based on five-week menu rotations rather than a typical All-You-Care-To-Eat buffet-style service.  

Ban Righ Dining Hall was open with extended hours and offered continuous food service throughout the day and evening. The Jean Royce Dining Hall on the west campus also remained open. 

Changes to meal plans, adding two new temporary retail locations, and expanding meal options at select locations, including those in residence buildings (Lazy Scholar and Location 21), helped to mitigate the impact on service while the renovations were completed.